News digest
HIGHLAND MILLS — The Town of Woodbury reached a settlement with Richard Vasquez at its Feb. 18 meeting.
Vasquez, who had been the town's police chief for more than three years, was suspended in October. Neither Vasquez nor the board commented publicly on the suspension.
At the time, Vasquez was running for Rockland County sheriff.
Hearings on the suspension began earlier this month.
No details were given of the settlement, although Supervisor David Sutz said the board has accepted Vasquez's resignation.
Town officials indicated that reaching the agreement was in best interest for all parties involved.
In a statement, Vasquez said: "I was delighted to serve the town of Woodbury as police chief and look forward to my next assignment in law enforcement. I appreciate all the support from the residents of Woodbury and I appreciate all the support from the residents and businesses of Woodbury. "
TUXEDO PARK — State Sen. John J. Bonacic announced this week that he has secured a $50,000 grant for the Village of Tuxedo Park for repairs to the Wee Wah Dam.
The dam, which is approximately 125 years old, is in dire need of repairs to ensure its structural and functional integrity and the safety of both village residents, and non-residents, the senator said in his press release announcing the State Municipal Grant. The dam is also a critical component for the maintenance of a potable water supply for Tuxedo Park, and the surrounding area.
"We are the stewards of three dams" Tuxedo Park Mayor Mary Jo Guinchard said. "Water flowing through our dams touches over four million people. The generous grant made possible by Senator Bonacic goes a long way to help us continue to be the fiduciaries, entrusted to provide clean drinking water to all of those folks downstream from us. We are very grateful to him."
MONROE — The Monroe Joint Fire District will hold an informational meeting Tuesday, March 1, to discuss the construction of a new firehouse on land owned by the fire district located at the corner of Short Street and Route 17M in the Village of Harriman.
The meeting will be held at the Mombasha Fire House, 526 Route 7M in Monroe, and begin at 7 p.m.
Monroe and Harriman residents will vote Tuesday, March 8, for the new fire station.
The present firehouse, located in the middle of the Village of Harriman, is inadequate for the size of today's fire truck sizes.
The new firehouse would be built on what is now a vacant 11,158-square-foot lot on Route 17M that backs up North Main Street and is adjacent to Short Street.
It was purchased for $275,000.
The proposed $4 million Harriman fire headquarters would open in 2017.
MONROE — The Town of Monroe Conservation Commission will now meet for its monthly meeting on the third Thursday of each month.
The commission previously met on Wednesday nights and is hopeful the day change will enable more residents to attend and participate in more locally focused activities that increase public awareness and knowledge about environmental issues.
“I am encouraged our inaugural meeting is March 17th and coincides with Saint Patrick’s Day," Commission Chairman John Ebert said. "We all plan on wearing some green.”
The Commission meetings take place at the Town of Monroe Senior Center located at 101 Mine Road and begin at 8 p.m.